Tom Price resigns as Health and Human Services secretary

Tom Price, President Donald Trump’s secretary of Health and Human Services, resigned from his post today after it was revealed that he had repeatedly chartered private planes for government travel.

"Secretary of Health and Human Services Thomas Price offered his resignation earlier today and the president accepted," read a statement from White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, adding that Trump intends to designate Don Wright, the current deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion as acting secretary.

The revelation about Price's trips drew widespread criticism from Democrats and an investigation was launched last week by the HHS Office of Inspector General. Price took as many as 26 private flights and flew on military planes on trips to Europe and Africa at an estimated cost to taxpayers of over $1 million, according to Politico.

Earlier in the day, Trump teased a decision on Price's status to reporters, saying would decide by the end of the day whether he might fire the secretary. He repeated that he was "not happy" about the secretary's travel, a position he first shared Wednesday.

On Thursday, Price expressed regret over his trips and pledged to reimburse the government for his portion of the cost of the chartered jets. A source with knowledge of Price's intentions said that he would pay $51,887.31 for the flights, just a fraction of the over $400,000 that the chartered flights were said to have cost.

Military flights to Africa, Asia and Europe, on which Price was joined by his wife, pushed the total over the $1 million figure, according to Politico.

The resignation comes three days after Senate Republicans announced they would not hold a vote this week on the party's latest attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the Graham-Cassidy bill. Price played an integral role in promoting the administration's thus far unsuccessful efforts to roll back the Democratic health care legislation passed under the Obama administration.

Last Friday, the HHS Office of Inspector General confirmed its inquiry into Price's flights, noting it was focused "on whether the travel complied with Federal Travel Regulations, but may encompass other issues related to the travel."

"We take this matter very seriously, and when questions arose about potentially inappropriate travel, we immediately began assessing the issue," read a statement from the office.

After last week's report, a collection of congressional Democrats authored a letter to the inspector general requesting an investigation. The Department of Health and Human Services maintained that Price "used charter aircraft for official business in order to accommodate his demanding schedule."

During his short tenure leading HHS and during his time in Congress, Price gained a reputation as an outspoken critic of government excess. In 2009, while still serving in the House, Price characterized a proposal to spend $550 million of government planes for government officials and members of Congress as "fiscal irresponsibility."

Prior to his nomination by Trump in November to join the cabinet, Price served six terms as the U.S. representative of Georgia's 6th Congressional District, rising to the chairmanship of the House Budget Committee in 2015. Prior to his political career, Price worked as an orthopedic surgeon.

POSTED BY: Channel 8 Eyewitness News 8@klkntv.com The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory is in effect from 3 A.M. Thursday until midnight Thursday Night. Counties included in the watch include: Burt-Dodge-Washington-Butler-Saunders-Douglas-Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Johnson-Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson. Mixed precipitation can be expected. Total snow accumulations of up to 2 inches and ice accumulations of one tenth to tw...

POSTED BY: Channel 8 Eyewitness News 8@klkntv.com The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory is in effect from 3 A.M. Thursday until midnight Thursday Night. Counties included in the watch include: Burt-Dodge-Washington-Butler-Saunders-Douglas-Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Johnson-Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson. Mixed precipitation can be expected. Total snow accumulations of up to 2 inches and ice accumulations of one tenth to tw...

Posted by Channel 8 Eyewitness News 8@klkntv.com To check on the latest travel conditions as more winter weather hits the region, click on the following link: http://www.511.nebraska.gov/ To check on the latest school closings in the area, click on the following link: http://www.klkntv.com/link/349192/local-school-closings-dismissals-and-delaysMore >>

Posted by Channel 8 Eyewitness News 8@klkntv.com To check on the latest travel conditions as more winter weather hits the region, click on the following link: http://www.511.nebraska.gov/ To check on the latest school closings in the area, click on the following link: http://www.klkntv.com/link/349192/local-school-closings-dismissals-and-delaysMore >>

Copper thief causes thousands of dollars of damage to home

The real estate agent showed up to the home Monday afternoon where she found the front door ajar. Someone had forcibly entered the home and removed the kitchen and bathroom faucets along with some copper piping from the water heater.

The real estate agent showed up to the home Monday afternoon where she found the front door ajar. Someone had forcibly entered the home and removed the kitchen and bathroom faucets along with some copper piping from the water heater.

Plattsmouth Community Schools cancels classes for Wednesday due to second threat

Plattsmouth County Schools posted a second statement to its Facebook page saying due to a second threat against the school that came in Tuesday evening, all classes in all buildings will be canceled for Wednesday, Feb. 21, to allow officers to investigate.

Plattsmouth County Schools posted a second statement to its Facebook page saying due to a second threat against the school that came in Tuesday evening, all classes in all buildings will be canceled for Wednesday, Feb. 21, to allow officers to investigate.

POSTED BY: Channel 8 Eyewitness News 8@klkntv.com Lincoln Southwest High School Principal Mike Gillotti sent a message to parents saying a student brought a BB gun to school today. Gillotti said the student showed the gun to other students and the students reported it to school officials. "We appreciate the students who reported this to trusted adults, so that we were able to promptly locate the student and confiscate the gun. We have also no...More >>

POSTED BY: Channel 8 Eyewitness News 8@klkntv.com Lincoln Southwest High School Principal Mike Gillotti sent a message to parents saying a student brought a BB gun to school today. Gillotti said the student showed the gun to other students and the students reported it to school officials. "We appreciate the students who reported this to trusted adults, so that we were able to promptly locate the student and confiscate the gun. We have also no...More >>